Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is investigating the recent death of a grey whale found on May 24 in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. This incident marks the eighth grey whale death this year in the province, contributing to a concerning trend of fatalities attributed to starvation as the whales migrate. DFO marine mammal coordinator Paul Cottrell highlighted the alarming situation during a recent webinar, suggesting that the actual number of deaths could be higher due to the expansive and remote coastline. The current year could surpass the previous worst year in 2019, when 11 grey whales were discovered dead. Researchers are particularly worried about the decline in available prey in the Arctic, which has been linked to the ongoing deaths of these marine mammals.
Why It Matters
The grey whale population is currently estimated to be just under 13,000, and since 2019, a total of 40 grey whale deaths have been recorded in British Columbia. In 2019, an unprecedented mortality event occurred globally, with 216 grey whales found dead. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has classified the eastern North Pacific grey whale population as a species of special concern since 2005. There are calls for the provincial government to formally recognize all grey whales as endangered to facilitate protective measures and funding for research and education efforts.
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